CHAPTER 25

1 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,
3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.

Festus first took the governor's place in Caesarea.
Then, he went to Jerusalem.

While he was in Jerusalem, the "high priest and the chief of the Jews" made their accusations against Paul.
They knew Paul was in Festus' custody.

And, they tried to get Festus to send for Paul and bring him to Jerusalem.
They wanted to capture Paul while he was enroute from Caesarea to Jerusalem, and kill him!
((They had attempted to do this while Felix was governor also - See Acts 23))

4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
5 Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.

Perhaps Festus knew of their plot, perhaps he did not.

But, he was going back to Caesarea, and it would be simpler for him to have them come there.
That way, it would not cost the government!

Notice Festus said those who are "able" can come to Caesarea.
He meant, able physically, and monetarily.

Paul had already paid with two years of his life!
If they had genuine accusations, at least they could pay the price of a trip!

6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.
7 And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.

Ten days later, Festus went back to Caesarea.
There, he called Paul and the accusers to his judgment seat.

The Jewish people brought "many and grievous complaints" against Paul.
However, they brought no PROOF!

So Festus allowed Paul to defend himself.

8 While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.

Paul's answer this time was very simple.
He had offended neither the "law of the Jews," "the temple," "nor ... Caesar."

Paul had entered the temple lawfully, and had been there to worship.

9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
10 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.

Festus saw there were many of the Jews there, but only ONE Paul!
So, he decided to try and please the Jews by getting Paul to go to Jerusalem.

Paul knew of the plot to kill him.
And he answered Festus quite frankly!
He had done no wrong to the Jews, and was already sitting at judgment in Caesar's appointed seat through Festus.
If there was an injustice that could be proven, let it be proven HERE.

NOTHING had been proven while Felix was governor.
And NOTHING was proven now, while Festus was governor.
They brought accusations, but had no facts to prove them!
Paul told Festus he ALREADY knew this! (vs 10)

Then, realizing the gravity of the situation, invoked his Roman citizenship.
He appealed to Caesar.

12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.

First, Festus "conferred" with his council (judicial advisors).
Then, he stated Paul would be taken to Caesar -- in Rome!

This was just a way to get the judgment out of his territory so that he would not have a problem on his record!

But something happened before Festus could send Paul to Rome.

13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.
14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:
15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.
16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.
18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:
19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.
21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.
22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.

This "Agrippa" was son of Herod Agrippa, and great-grandson of Herod the Great.
He had a long history!
His father, Herod Agrippa, had beheaded James the apostle! (Acts 12:1-3)
And, this Agrippa had no sympathy toward Christians!

This Agrippa also consorted with his sister "Bernice."
Their relationship was scandalous to Jews and Gentiles alike!

Festus explained the situation with Paul.
In fact, he even stated that the Jews accusations were without foundation (vss 18-20).

Then he told Agrippa that Paul had appealed to Caesar (Augustus at that time).
And, he had detained Paul until he could send him to Rome.

Agrippa told Festus he'd like to hear Paul.
So, Festus set the meeting for the next day.

23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.
24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.
27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.

With "great pomp" Agrippa and Bernice entered the judgment seat.
They brought all the important people with them!

With as much "great pomp" Festus greated Agrippa and presented Paul to him.

Festus was concerned for his position in this matter.
He had no evidence of wrongdoing about Paul, but Paul had appealed to Caesar.
He feared he would be less thought of if Paul appeared before Augustus without cause.
So, he was trying to lay off the decision upon his superior.

Now, in the next chapter, we're going to hear Paul as he very eloquently presents the Gospel of Christ!

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.
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